Sean Quinn has said he doesn’t feel he deserved his time in jail.

The Fermanagh businessman, once Ireland’s richest man, said he found his spell in Mountjoy Prison "tough" and claims his sentencing was unjust.

The former billionaire was released on Thursday after serving his full term for contempt of court.

Speaking after his release, Sean Quinn explained: "I suppose I found it tough but when you come to 66 years of age, you've been through many a thing over that period.

"I could fit in with most environments and I fitted in. The staff were very good, very professional, but of course, when you find a door slamming at nine o'clock at night, it's not nice. It's not something I was used to and it's not something I felt I deserved.”

He continued: "There was a lot of people there who went through different experiences over their lifetime and I suppose it was a learning experience. I wouldn't call it frightening but it was certainly one that would make you think.”

He also claims to have received a "very positive" response from his fellow inmates.

"I think 100% of them felt I shouldn't be there. I certainly felt I shouldn't be there, after creating 7,000 jobs, after never in my life owing anybody a penny. Never in my life did I steal a penny or take a penny that didn't belong to me."

Sean Quinn’s jail sentence was the culmination of a battle between the businessman and the IBRC, formerly Anglo Irish Bank.

He was found guilty of contempt of court after allegedly putting millions of pounds worth of property beyond the reach of the bank, despite a court order to the contrary.

IBRC says the Quinns owe it more than 2bn euros and is trying to recover the money from their assets

"Can we go back to jail? Yes we can. Could other members of the family go back to jail? They can continue this charade as long as they want, and as long as the public opinion and as long as the media backs them in doing that, they're very keen to do that," he said.

(IT)